Keep Trade Local

Small business rate relief is set to increase from 1st October 2010 An announcement in the most recent Budget, that the government is to increase small business rate relief later this year, sheds a glimmer of light for small businesses. Information from Business Link states that “Between October 1st 2010 and September 30th 2011 eligible [...]

Business organisations urge small firms to say no to the National Insurance rise. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has joined forces with other business and employment organisations to call on small firms to sign a petition urging the Government to freeze National Insurance. Research by the FSB with the Centre for Economics and Business [...]

An FSB and ICM survey shows that three quarters of businesses would grow their business if the tax regime was easier to understand. Research carried out by the FSB and ICM of over 1,600 small businesses showed that 75 per cent of small businesses believe that they would be able to grow their business if [...]

Small shops are struggling to survive because of local, regional and national government policies, together with the competition authority’s failure to deal with the aggressive policies of supermarkets. These factors have been compounded by the recession and the closure of over 100 businesses every day. Throughout these difficult times, the Post Office has remained the [...]

The government has introduced a new package of financial measures, as part of its Solutions for Business portfolio. The aim is to provide real help to firms through the economic downturn. If you have short-term working capital constraints or are looking to invest to grow your business these schemes could help you.